ScienceDaily: All - April 20, 2024
Today's top research news
Toxic chemicals from microplastics can be absorbed through skin
Toxic chemicals used to flame-proof plastic materials can be absorbed into the body through skin, via contact with microplastics, new research shows.
Image: plastic granulate in gloved hands, Rene Notenbomer/Shutterstock.com
Warming of Antarctic deep-sea waters contribute to sea level rise in North Atlantic, study finds
Analysis of mooring observations and hydrographic data suggest the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation deep water limb in the North Atlantic has weakened. Two decades of continual observations provide a greater understanding of the Earth's climate regulating system.
Octopus inspires new suction mechanism for robots
A new robotic suction cup which can grasp rough, curved and heavy stone, has been developed by scientists.
When thoughts flow in one direction
Contrary to previous assumptions, nerve cells in the human neocortex are wired differently than in mice. The study found that human neurons communicate in one direction, while in mice, signals tend to flow in loops. This increases the efficiency and capacity of the human brain to process information. These discoveries could further the development of artificial neural networks.
Mess is best: Disordered structure of battery-like devices improves performance
The energy density of supercapacitors -- battery-like devices that can charge in seconds or a few minutes -- can be improved by increasing the 'messiness' of their internal structure. Researchers used experimental and computer modelling techniques to study the porous carbon electrodes used in supercapacitors. They found that electrodes with a more disordered chemical structure stored far more energy than electrodes with a highly ordered structure.
Skyrmions move at record speeds: A step towards the computing of the future
Scientists have discovered that the magnetic nanobubbles known as skyrmions can be moved by electrical currents, attaining record speeds up to 900 m/s. Anticipated as future bits in computer memory, these nanobubbles offer enhanced avenues for information processing in electronic devices. Their tiny size provides great computing and information storage capacity, as well as low energy consumption. Until now, these nanobubbles moved no faster than 100 m/s, which is too slow for computing applications. However, thanks to the use of an antiferromagnetic material as medium, the scientists successfully had the skyrmions move 10 times faster than previously observed. These results offer new prospects for developing higher-performance and less energy-intensive computing devices.
One third of China's urban population at risk of city sinking, new satellite data shows
Land subsidence is overlooked as a hazard in cities, according to new research. Scientists used satellite data that accurately and consistently maps land movement across China.
Novel material supercharges innovation in electrostatic energy storage
Scientists have developed artificial heterostructures made of freestanding 2D and 3D membranes that have an energy density up to 19 times higher than commercially available capacitors.
A common pathway in the brain that enables addictive drugs to hijack natural reward processing
Researchers have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that allows cocaine and morphine to take over natural reward processing systems.
Fourteen years after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, endemic fishes face an uncertain future
The 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the largest accidental spill in history, released almost 100 million gallons of oil, causing significant pollution. A decade later, its long-term effects remain unclear. A study investigating the impact on endemic fish species found 29 of 78 species unreported in museum collections since the spill, suggesting potential loss of biodiversity.
Marine microbial populations: Potential sensors of the global change in the ocean
Animal and plant populations have been extensively studied, which has helped to understand ecosystem processes and evolutionary adaptations. However, this has not been the case with microbial populations due to the impossibility of isolating, culturing and analyzing the genetic content of the different species and their individuals in the laboratory. Therefore, although it is known that populations of microorganisms include a great diversity, this remains largely uncharacterized.
Twin studies have proven invaluable for teasing out the effects of both genetics and the environment on human biology. Researchers studied pairs of twins to look at how the interplay of genetics and environment affect cognitive processing -- the way that people think. They found that some cognitive abilities appear to be regulated more by environmental factors than by genetics.
Data-driven music: Converting climate measurements into music
A geo-environmental scientist from Japan has composed a string quartet using sonified climate data. The 6-minute-long composition -- entitled 'String Quartet No. 1 'Polar Energy Budget'-- is based on over 30 years of satellite-collected climate data from the Arctic and Antarctic and aims to garner attention on how climate is driven by the input and output of energy at the poles.
Quick decisions in soccer enhanced by brain's ability to suppress actions
Superior decision-making in sports such as soccer could come down to the process of inhibiting a motor response, according to a new study.
Perfect balance: How the brain fine-tunes its sensitivity
A sensitive perception of the environment is crucial for guiding our behavior. However, an overly sensitive response of the brain's neural circuits to stimuli can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy. Researchers now report how neuronal networks in the mouse brain are fine-tuned.
Scientists uncover 95 regions of the genome linked to PTSD
In posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intrusive thoughts, changes in mood, and other symptoms after exposure to trauma can greatly impact a person's quality of life. About 6 percent of people who experience trauma develop the disorder, but scientists don't yet understand the neurobiology underlying PTSD. Now, a new genetic study of more than 1.2 million people has pinpointed 95 loci, or locations in the genome, that are associated with risk of developing PTSD, including 80 that had not been previously identified.
AI tool predicts responses to cancer therapy using information from each cell of the tumor
Most cancer patients do not benefit from early targeted therapies. Scientists now describe a new computational pipeline to systematically predict patient response to cancer drugs at single-cell resolution.
RNA's hidden potential: New study unveils its role in early life and future bioengineering
The origin of life continues to remain a matter of debate. The ribonucleic acid (RNA) world hypothesis proposes that 'ribozymes' which store genetic information and possess catalytic functions may have supported the activities of early life forms. Now, researchers explore how RNA elongation is regulated allosterically, shedding light on its impact on early life processes and offering insights into the fabrication of arbitrary RNA nanostructures with various modern applications.
Can bismuth prevent oil leaks?
Companies can't simply walk away from old oil and gas wells. They have to be capped in a way that protects the environment and prevents leaks. A new approach to today's solution could be better for the environment and cheaper, too.
How data provided by fitness trackers and smartphones can help people with MS
Monitoring and treating a case of multiple sclerosis requires reliable and long-term data on how the disease is progressing in the person in question. Fitness trackers and smartphones can supply this data, as a research team has now shown.
An ink for 3D-printing flexible devices without mechanical joints
Researchers are targeting the next generation of soft actuators and robots with an elastomer-based ink for 3D printing objects with locally changing mechanical properties, eliminating the need for cumbersome mechanical joints.